• Greece are a point clear of Croatia and third-ranked Israel, but Luis Fernandez's side have played a game more than the top two.

• Greece prevailed 2-1 in Piraeus in the sides' first Group F meeting on 12 October last year. Dimitris Salpingidis put Fernando Santos's men ahead in the 22nd minute with a neat, lofted finish but Israel levelled 14 minutes after half-time when Greek defender Nikos Spyropoulos turned Roberto Colautti's cross past his own goalkeeper. However, Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis slotted home from the penalty spot just after the hour mark to clinch the three points.

• Israel's record in 14 games against Greece is W2 D5 L7 (W1 D4 L2 at home – and W1 D3 L2 in Tel Aviv).

• Greece's last four home matches against Israel – friendlies on 28 March 1990 and 24 January 1996, as well as their most recent FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter in Heraklion on 1 April 2009 and their first Group F meeting – all ended in 2-1 wins. Their last two away trips to Israel produced 1-1 draws.

• The teams first locked horns on 1 November 1953 in Athens, with Greece prevailing 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier. The return fixture in Tel Aviv then produced a 2-0 victory for the away side, and that proved to be their last competitive meeting for over 50 years.

• Prior to the foundation of the state of Israel, Greece contested two World Cup qualifiers against Eretz Israel during the time of the British Mandate for Palestine, winning 3-1 in Tel Aviv on 22 January 1938 and 1-0 in Athens on 20 February the same year.

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